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Skink
Minnesota Skink. Photo by Heidi Goldberg
Have you seen any Monarch Butterflies this year?

CURE has been wondering, where have the Monarch Butterflies gone? Some of us have seen one or two and some of us have seen a few. But should we be worrying about their lack of appearance this year?
 
Monarch butterflies may be struggling, but a University of Minnesota scientist has dedicated her life to their study and preservation. Click here to read more.  
Minnesota River at Sunset
Minnesota River at Sunset
We couldn't tell this story any better...
On the Minnesota River, a dam is removed and a paddler's paradise is reborn.
 
We came across a great article describing a recent Minnesota River trip by two middle-aged guys from Minneapolis. The two men began at Memorial Park in Granite Falls to shoot the newly formed rapids at Minnesota Falls and ended at Vicksburg Park in Renville County. Here are just a few of our favorite quotes from the article:
 
"It looked like a scene out of the Boundary Waters, not the heart of the farm country."
 
"Our float through the Corn Belt was different from the typical Up North outing in another regard: It offered far more solitude."
 
"On the way, we passed more beautiful vistas, more pelicans, rapids, rock outcroppings - and not a single human being."
 
Sherco Smokestack, photo by Fresh Energy
Sherco Smokestack, photo by Fresh Energy
Take Action: Replace Sherco with Clean Energy
 
CURE works with our Minnesota clean energy partners to reduce harmful pollution and replace last century's coal electricity generation plants with better and cleaner options.  The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is currently taking comments on the future of Xcel Energy's Sherco 1 and 2 coal generators.  Please take a minute to learn more and take action by using the easy form provided by CURE's clean energy partner, Fresh Energy. Read more here.
 
Sally Jo Sorenson
Sally Jo Sorenson
The Real Lizard People: Skinks in the MN River Valley
Thursday, August 15th at 9 AM
 

"I've seen some of these guys for about a nanosecond. To get that glimpse, we'll walk through one of the most beautiful landscapes in the upper Minnesota River Valley, surrounded by happy pollinators buzzing around native wildflowers, singing indigo buntings, startled gophersnakes, and other marvels. Bring a walking stick if you have one, as there are no groomed trails at this SNA." - Sally Jo Sorenson

 

Location:  Swede's Forest SNA

 

What participants should expect: A chance to see a species of special concern in Minnesota, the five-lined skink (also known as Blue Devils) and to learn more about why clearing red juniper from granite outcrops helps the small, fast lizards. We'll also see some interesting historical small-scale quarry remains, cactus and other interesting flora.

 

To register, call our office at 320-269-2984 or email [email protected]. Read more about the trip here.

Biking in the Upper Minnesota Watershed at Lac qui Parle State Park
Saturday, August 24th at 3 to 6 PM
 

This 3-hour adventure led by CURE Board Member Brian Wojtalewiczoffers something for everyone!  Participants may choose from paved trails in the newer upper park, on the east side of the lake, to a 19 mile loop that provides the rider with a variety of hills and straight terrain, on very lightly trafficked county tar roads.  Alternative 5 to 10 mile round trips will be available. A nice DNR interpretive center with many stuffed birds, and a variety of animal pelts, is handy on the east side.

 

At 5:30 pm, there will be a short historic presentation at the Joseph Renville Fort site, and a visit to the nearby largest known cottonwood tree in the state of Minnesota.

 

Location: Lac qui Parle Lake, Upper and Lower State Park. 

 

To register, call our office at 320-269-2984 or email [email protected].  Read more about the trip here.

Will Steger and J. Drake Hamilton
Polar Explorer Will Steger and Fresh Energy's J. Drake Hamilton
SAVE the DATE: Clean Energy, Climate, and Health Public Forum
Sunday, September 15th, at 7 PM in Granite Falls

A free public forum with polar explorer Will Steger and Fresh Energy's J. Drake Hamilton.

Minnesota is on a clean energy path that is bringing benefits to human health and our air, water, and natural resources.

 

SPEAKERS

Will Steger . J. Drake Hamilton, Fresh Energy

Duane Ninneman, CURE . Rev. Steve Carmany, Granite Falls Lutheran

 

Click here for more information

Events & Adventures Program
CURE's Events & Adventure's Program
MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Experience the Upper Minnesota River Watershed with the guides from Wild River Academy and from our CURE members and board members by paddling, biking, fishing, birding, hiking or all of the above! Click on the links below to learn more about each trip including details on special costs for our CURE members. - Advanced Registration Required.

 

August
Thursday, August 15th from 9 AM to 12 PM.
Saturday, August 24th from 3 PM to 6 PM.

 

Did you know that you may now become a member of CURE online? 
Join Today Button
Sincerely,

  

The staff at CURE

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Montevideo, Minnesota  56265
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